world and the world's favor had lost all attraction for her, who would
willingly have retired from it forever.

Valerie was presented to society as Mademoiselle de la Motte, and nothing
was said of her stolen marriage with the young Russian officer.

That season was perhaps the gayest Paris had ever known during the
quiet reign of the citizen king and queen. Brilliant festivities in
honor of the Spanish marriages were the order of the days and nights.
Representatives from every court in Europe were present, as special
messengers of congratulation--or expostulation; for it will be remembered
the Spanish marriages were not universally popular with the sovereigns of
Europe.

Among the representatives of the English Court, present at the Tuileries,
was the seventh Duke of Hereward, recently come into his titles and
estates.

It was at a ball at the Tuileries that Valerie de la Motte first met the
Duke of Hereward, then a very handsome man of middle age, of accomplished
mind and courtly address. The beautiful, pale, grave brunette at once
interested the English duke more than all the blooming and vivacious
beauties at the French capital could do. At every ball, dinner, concert,
play, or other place of amusement where Mademoiselle de la Motte appeared
with her parents, the Duke of Hereward sought her out; and the more he
saw of her, the more interested he became in her; and it must be
confessed that the conversation of this handsome and accomplished man of
middle age pleased the grave, sedate girl more than that of younger and
gayer men could have done.

The duke, on his part, was not slow to perceive his advantage, and he
would willingly have paid his addresses to Mademoiselle de la Motte in
person, and won her heart and hand for himself, before speaking to her
father on the subject; but as such a proceeding would not have been in
accordance with the customs of the country, no opportunity was allowed
him to do so; for whereas in England, or America, a suitor must win the
favor of his lady before he asks that of her parents, in France the
process is precisely the reverse of all this, and the lover must have the
sanction of the father or mother, or both, before he may dare to woo the
daughter; and this rule of etiquette holds good in all cases except in
those of stolen marriages, which are illegal and disreputable.

It was not long, therefore, before the Duke or Hereward called at the
Hotel de la Motte, and requested a